Cardiff Devils: Coach Andrew Lord leaves for North America
- Published
Andrew Lord 'has chance to do something special' - Todd Kelman
Head coach Andrew Lord is to leave Cardiff Devils after seven years to coach Greenville Swamp Rabbits in South Carolina.
Lord, 35, is the most successful coach in Devils' history.
He led Devils to two league championships, two Challenge Cup victories, three conference titles and back to back Playoff Championships.
Lord's new team play in the third tier of the sport in North America, the East Coast Hockey League.
In June 2019 he signed a five-year contract which gave Lord the option to move to another league "if the right opportunity " arose.
Under the deal Lord would have been given an ownership stake in the Welsh club had he stayed until 2021.
After a playing career in North America and one season in Germany, Lord signed for Cardiff Devils as a forward in 2013.
He became player coach in 2014 as a money saving measure following the takeover of the club by new owners and continued in the dual role until 2018.
In 2017 Lord brought the Devils their first league title in 20 years and one year later led them to a first playoff success since 1999.
Having won nine trophies in six years as coach, managing director Todd Kelman says Lord's contribution has been huge.
Andrew Lord won nine trophies in six years as Cardiff Devils coach
"It is hard to put into words the impact that Andrew Lord has had on this organisation," said Kelman.
"He brought a commitment to excellence and dedication to the job that I have never seen before because he loves the game and loves coaching. That carried over into the players and although he was a very demanding coach, he also got the most out of the guys and made them better players and better people.
"I'm going to miss him, we are all going to miss him. He's a great coach, but more than that he is a great person, a genuine big personality that we all love. He brought a passion every game and it showed in the way he played and the way he coached."